British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday endorsed the United States’ “precision” strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, declaring that Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He called Tehran’s nuclear programme a “grave threat to international security” and urged a return to diplomacy to resolve the escalating crisis in West Asia.
In a statement on X, Starmer said, “Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile, and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”
His comments came after US President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that American forces had conducted massive precision strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—and warned of further action if Iran did not agree to a peace settlement.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has convened an emergency meeting of its Board of Governors for Monday in response to the military developments. The agency confirmed that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported so far following the attacks.
Iran, in its official response, condemned the strikes as violations of international law, accusing the US of “savage aggression” and the IAEA of “indifference and complicity.” Tehran vowed to continue its nuclear programme despite the attacks.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) reiterated that its facilities were targeted early Sunday morning and emphasised Iran’s rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The strikes drew praise from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called Trump’s decision to hit Iran’s nuclear infrastructure a historic move that would “change history.”
The Israel-Iran conflict, now in its ninth day, began on June 13, when Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” targeting Iranian military and nuclear assets. In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ‘Operation True Promise 3’, a massive drone and missile assault aimed at Israeli strategic sites, escalating tensions in the region.
The latest Israeli airstrikes on western Iran came after Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, which injured multiple civilians. The volatile situation continues to draw global concern, with leaders calling for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.
